Pressure adjuster for gaseous discharge lamps



Dec. 23, 1941. E. F. LOWRY ETAL PRESSURE ADJUSTER FOR GASEOUS DISCHARGE LAMPS Filed m. 22, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 23, 1941- E. F. LOWRY ET AL 2,267,594

vPRESSURE ADJUSTER FOR GASEOUS DISCHARGE LAMPS Filed Nov. 22, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 23, 1941 1 PRESSURE ADJUSTER FOR GASEOUS DISCHARGE LAMPS Erwin F. 1.6m, Swampscott, and Frank F.

Becker, Marblehead, Masa, assig'nors tonygrade Sylvania Corporation, Salem, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 22, 1940, Serial No; 366,650

8 Claims. (01. 137-53) This invention relates to a pressure regulating device and more particularly to a device for regulating the gas pressurein an electric gaseous discharge lamp.

18, 1940, to a position where it would establish contact with the pressure regulating device in my invention through the exhaust line 8. This'line is connected through the manometer 9 to the exhaust line 3 sealed in the cylindrical chamber 2.

An object of this invention is to provide a 'de- The line I0 leads to an exhaust pump which vice for accurately controlling the gas pressure evacuates the cylindrical chamber 2. The height in an electric gaseous discharge lamp. of n-butyl-phthalate in the chamber 2 from the Other objects, advantages and features of this top of the window 4 to thesurface .of the liquid invention will be apparent from the specificais of a weight equal to 2 mm. pressure. Thus the tions below taken in conjunction with the accoml0 excess of gas over 2 mm. in the lamp I will be panying drawings in which: drawn oil! through the line 8, the manometer 9,

Figure 1 is a front elevational view shown and through the line 3 sealed in the chamber 2. partly inphantom of the pressure regulating de- The pressure over 2mm. will exceed the pressure vice assembly, in conjunction with a pressure of the liquid at the vent 4 and will bubble out measuring device and an electric lamp. 16 through the vent and be drawn from the chamber.

Figure 2 is a detail shown partly in section of 2 through the line Ill. When the pressure in the lower extremity of the cylindrical chamber; the line 3 equals the pressure of the liquid at the Figure 3 is a top view of one of the baffles; vent 4, the equalization will result in the ceasing Figure 4 is a side elevational view shown partly of the bubbling and an indication that the excess in phantom, showing the device in 'a revolved pressure in the lamp has been drawn on and the position. v I pressure in the lamp now is 2v mm.

In the manufacture of electric gaseous dis- In Figure l, the spherical reservoir I, the cylincharge lamps'with a coating of luminescent matedrical chamber 2, the line 8 connecting the lower rial on the inner walls thereof, the lamp, after extremities thereof and the line It connecting it has been exhausted, is usually filled with an iii-.- 2 the upper extremities thereof are all mounted on ert gas under pressure. oftentimes it is desirable the adjustable plate I I through the tabs i4.- This to vary this pressure for different lamps. Thus, plate ll may be recessed to provide for a firm an accurate pressure regulating means capable mounting of these parts thereon. The elongated of being very easily adjusted to the various deslot [5 is located in the plate H. The screw l6 sired pressures is highly desirable. through the stationary plate I! extends up Figure 1 shows the device of my invention through the slot l5, and locks the adjustable plate which consists of the balancing spherical reserthrough the wing nut II at the desired position voir I connected to the cylindrical chamber 2 as shown in Figure 4. -As also shown in Figure 4, which encloses the exhaust line 3 with the exhaust the plate H ivots about the stud I! in the plate window 4 therein. This exhaust line 3 is concen- I: when it is moved for adjusting p r trio with the cylindrical chamber 2 and has the Figure 4 shows how the height of n-butylbailles 5 thereon. The exhaust line I is sealed in phthalate from the top of the vent 4 to the surthe cylindrical chamber in a manner as to have face of the-liquid has increased due to the flow of the only opening between it and the cylindrical n-butyl-phthalate from the reservoir I into the chamber 2 through the exhaust window 4. A 0 cylindrical chamber 2, caused by the angular quantity of n-butyl-phthalate, or similar liquid position which the plate II has now assumed. with an extremely low vapor pressure, is located The calculation of the pressure being exerted atin the reservoir I, the lower connecting line 8 and the vent 4, when the height of n-butyl-phthalate the chamber 2. from the top of the vent to the surface of the In the exhausting of fluorescent lamps the liquid is changed, maybemade on the manometer lamp is usually evacuated to a finedegree of vacu- {shown in Figure 1. um before it is ready for its final filling of inert Figure 3 is a detail of one of the baiiies 5 con-. gas. It is desirable to have the pressure of this centric with the exhaust line 3. Figure-i shows gas accurately determined. Thus if,for example, how the line 8 from the spherical reservoir [joins 2 mm. of an inert gas such as argon were desired, the cylindrical chamber 2. The exhaust line 3 the lamp 1 would be filled with a pressure of argon is sealed in the chamber 2 so that the only-opensomewhat above 2 .mm., for example, 10 mm. ing from the line 3 into the chamber 2 is through The lamp 1 would then, move, as shown in cothe triangular vent 4. This vent is of a contour pending application Serial No. 335,979, flledMay a substantially as shown in Figure 2 to provide a more even and less turbulent displacement of the liquid around the vent when the excess gas pressure from a lamp is-being drawn oil. The line 3 a reservoir; a cylindrical chamber separate from said reservoir, said chamber being in communication at its bottom with said reservoir and the liquid therein, and at its top with an outlet for exhaust; and a tube extending through said cylindrical chamber and toward the bottom of said chamber and having a vent at its lower eiztremity, the only means of communication between said cylindrical chamber and said tube being through said vent.

2. A pressure adjusting means for electric gaseous discharge lamps comprising: a reservoir; a

quantity of low. vapor pressure iquid in said reservoir; a cylindrical chambe separate from said reservoir, said chamber being in communication at its bottom with said reservoir and the liquid therein, and at its top with an outlet for exhaust; an equalizing path between said chemher and said reservoir; and a tube extending "through said cylindrical chamber and toward the bottom or said chamber and having a vent at its lower extremity, the only cans of countaaemoc cation between said cylindrical chamber and said tube helm through said vent.

3. A pressure adjusting means for electric gaseous discharge lamps comprising: a reservoir; a quantity of low vapor pressure liquid in said reservoir; a cylindrical chamber in communication at its bottom with said-reservoir and the liquid therein, and at its top with an outlet tor exhaust; an equalizing path between said chamher and said reservoir; a tube extending through said cylindrical chamber towards the bottom thereof and having a vent at its lower extremity, theapex of said vent extending upward, said vent being the only means of communication between said cylindrical chamber and said tube; and a heme around and concentric with said tube, said bafie being located alcove said vent and below the outlet for exhaust at the top oi. said cylindrical chamber.

e. The combination of claim 3 and means for raising said reservoir.

, 5. The combination of claim 1 and meam for raising and lowering the level of said low vapor pressure liquid in said reservoir.

6. The combination of claim 1 and a pivotally mounted support to which said apparatus is fixed.

ERWm F. LOWRY.

n F. EEC. 

